Major weekend treat for organ music lovers

By Nancy Acton

Published Apr 21, 2006 at 12:01 am
(Updated Feb 3, 2011 at 5:39 pm)

Lovers of organ music are in for a special treat this weekend when the Bermuda chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosts a recital by Dr. Douglas Major at St. Paul?s Church in Paget on Sunday evening, April 23 at 7.30 p.m.

Lovers of organ music are in for a special treat this weekend when the Bermuda chapter of the American Guild of Organists hosts a recital by Dr. Douglas Major at St. Paul?s Church in Paget on Sunday evening, April 23 at 7.30 p.m.

Dr. Major is an internationally recognised organ solo artist who has toured throughout North America, Europe and the Far East.

His programme will feature the following works: Prelude and Fugue in D Major (J. S. Bach), Fantasie in F Minor and Major, K. 594 (W. A. Mozart), Chorale III in A Minor (C?sar Franck), Allegro Maestoso from Sonata I (Edward Elgar), and George Gershwin?s ?Rhapsody in Blue?, transcribed for organ by Dr. Major. The visiting organist will also play his own three-part, 1989 composition, ?Concertino?.

From 1988 to 2002 Dr. Major was organist and choirmaster at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

In Rockport, Massachusetts, where he now makes his home, he composes music for organ, synthesiser, choirs and chamber ensembles, and is also music director of St. Michael?s church in Marblehead.

In addition to his busy recital and concert schedule, Dr. Major also participates in concerts with the Empire Brass Quintet, including a Bermuda Festival appearance. In 1982 he gave a recital at Christ Church, Devonshire to commemorate the rebuilding of its organ. Tickets for Sunday?s recital (adults $35, students $15) are available from The Music Box, at the door, and also on line at www.organconcert.us